Lalu Vows to Impose Ban on RSS, BJP for Politics of Hatred

Taking a tough stand against recent comments by Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia and BJP leader Giriraj Singh, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad on Wednesday said that such people stand exposed as their ugly face has became visible after their remarks and asserted that if his party is voted to power it would immediately ban organisations such as the RSS and BJP for “hate mongering”.

“If my party comes to power, RSS, BJP and all such organisations will be banned. These organisations work to spread hatred. We will chase all these rioters out of India,” Lalu said.

“Giriraj is not a leader at all. The BJP is just a mask for the RSS, which is propagating communalism and fascism in India. When they are caught and criticised, they hastily retract their statements or start making excuses,” he told media representatives here. “God forbid if such forces come to power in India, they will put the entire country on fire which will engulf Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. India will be destroyed,” the RJD chief added.

Meanwhile, leaders of JD(U) and Congress expressed satisfaction over punitive action taken by the Election Commission against Giriraj Singh. “BJP should have taken disciplinary action against Giriraj Singh. Mere tokenism won’t serve the purpose,” said a Congress leader. JD-U Bihar president Vashisht Narayan Singh said it would help protect communal harmony.

Meanwhile, facing arrest for his controversial statement, Giriraj Singh has said he will surrender before the court on Thursday but did not say whether he would do so in Jharkhand or Bihar.

Ahead of the third phase of elections on Thursday, the BJP and RJD are going all out to mobilise support in the communally charged atmosphere of Seemanchal in Bihar, where Muslims reside in sizable numbers.